[1][2] The painter took inspiration to create this painting from a meeting that took place at his residence in Méric, near Montpellier, in the summer of 1867.

Regarding the pose of the figures, it can be noted that eight of the eleven people depicted look at the observer directly or indirectly but without any interaction between them.

It is worth highlighting how Bazille generously manages to reflect his love for the light of Southern France.

Even so, the author was not completely satisfied and, after its presentation at the Salon, he touched up the work during the winter, exchanging some puppies for an unnatural still life.

[3][4] The then young writer Émile Zola was commissioned to write a review of the painting, in which he highlighted the painter's sensitivity when concerning the depiction of the natural light on the terrace, and also his attention to the clothing of the figures and his accuracy in portraying eleven people with all the details, poses and gestures characteristic of their own individual personalities.